Terriers Beat By Bandits

The Brooks Bandits showed last night why they are the number one ranked team in Canada. They beat the Portage Terriers 5-0 at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton BC. 

Things were relatively even in the first period with Brooks outshooting Portage 10-9. The Bandits found the back of the net though in the first eight minutes. The Terriers turned the puck over in their own end, and Tyrell Mappin made them pay. Oliver Chau hit him with a perfect pass in front of the net. The Terriers would get some chances on a power play minutes later, but before the end of the first frame Nick Prkusic broke up a Terrier pass shorthanded and had a shot from the high slot beat Terrier goalie Brock Aiken. 

Terrier defenseman Cody Thompson felt things went down hill from there."I thought we had a pretty good start...the second period we started to melt down and started to have penalty troubles. They got a few power play goals and we fell out of it from there."

It was the first start for Aiken since game two of the MJHL final against OCN. He faced 19 shots in the second period letting in three more goals. Connor Jean scored early in the frame on the power play. Top NHL draft prospect Cale Makar put the game out of reach 10 minutes later with a power play goal of his own. Brooks worked the puck around on a five on three and Makar unleashed a cannon of a shot that got stuck in the back of the net. He would score another goal two minutes later taking a pass in front of the net and sliding it past Aiken. 

With the game out of reach Portage looked better in the third period holding Brooks off the board. Aiken feels it's something they can build off. "That last period we're just trying to work towards tomorrow. We had a pretty good period. We are going to go in with a fresh mind (tomorrow) and not worry about this game."

Aiken finished the game with 38 saves. The Terriers are back in action tonight against the host Penticton Vees. The game will have a special start as two former Penticton players (Paul Kariya and Brendan Morrison) will be inducted into the Penticton "Ring of Honour". The game will be broadcast on CFRY and Portageonline.com starting with the pregame show at 8:50 pm (MB time).

 For the complete box score click here.

Playoff Breakdown

It was the final round robin game of the Western Canada Cup for the Bandits, and with the win they clinched first place. 

It also means that Chilliwack has clinched second place. 

The Terriers and Penticton Vees are tied for third with three points and Battlefords North Stars are right behind with one.

There are a few ways for the Terriers to make the playoffs. If the North Stars win in overtime or lose the game tomorrow against the Chiefs the Terriers will clinch a spot in the playoffs. If Battlefords wins their game in regulation, Portage will need to pick up at least a point against the Vees if they want to advance to the weekend playoffs.